Free Agent - Seb Carole

Skysports.com is pleased to launch a new feature that will run throughout the summer as we look at football's Free Agents.

With the football world having been hit by the global recession as much as any other business, most clubs are cutting their cloth accordingly with more and more seasoned professionals looking to find employment.

The market place is at its most competitive as it has been for years, with only the uber-rich willing to house squads that swell beyond what is strictly necessary.

A list of free agents released by the PFA contained some familiar names - Michael Owen, Darius Vassell and Didi Hamann spring to mind - but only the top stars will be guaranteed football for next season. For the rest, a summer of uncertainty and no little worry awaits.

Our Free Agent feature will encompass an interview with the player, discussing their thoughts on being released, what kind of club they are looking for and the type of skills they offer.

A fact box will include their Football CV - clubs played for, appearances, position, honours etc - as we look to put footballers on the lookout for a new club in the shop window.

Kicking off our new feature is former Monaco and Leeds winger Seb Carole.

Free Agent

Seb Carole boasts an impressive CV having played for Monaco in the French top flight and the UEFA Champions League.

The 26-year-old left Monaco in 2005 to join Brighton in the Championship and he impressed during his one season at the Withdean Stadium.

Carole was snapped up by Leeds in 2006 and established himself as a regular under Kevin Blackwell, but following the now Sheffield United boss' departure he found first-team opportunities limited under Dennis Wise and then Gary McAllister.

The Frenchman left Leeds in September 2008 and after a short spell at Darlington he returned to Brighton for the second half of last season.

Carole is a free agent after seeing his short-term deal expire at Brighton and he is keen to find himself a new club in England.

The player admits it is not a good feeling to be without a club, but he is refusing to panic as he is confident in his ability to find a new club for the new season.

"It is a strange and weird feeling being a free agent and it is difficult when you don't have a club you go into every day," Carole told skysports.com.

"I am not panicking about my situation as I am keeping positive and I am confident in my ability.

"It is my ambition to find a new club and stay in England. I have been over here the last four years and I have enjoyed myself and I am settled here.

"I started at Monaco and I was a member of the squad that got all the way to the Champions League final in 2004.

"Playing in the Champions League is one of the best experiences any footballer can have.

"I think people were surprised when I left Monaco for Brighton, who were then one of the smallest clubs in the Championship, but I really enjoyed my time there.

"After that I went to Leeds and it was really good under Kevin Blackwell, but then he left after two months and things changed.

"I did not play as much under Dennis Wise and Gary McAllister and to have so many managers during my time at Leeds was unsettling.

"I had some really good times and some really bad times at Leeds, but I enjoyed it there as it is a massive club with great fans and superb facilities."

Blades boost

Carole is currently training with Sheffield United to maintain his fitness and the wide-man insists he is prepared to go on trial to try and win a move to a new club.

"I did some fitness work in Paris at the start of the summer and I am now training with Sheffield United thanks to my old Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell so I can work on my fitness and I am grateful for that.

"I know there has been a little bit of interest from some clubs, but nothing serious as yet.

"I would be happy to go on trial to any interested team and I am confident I could show I am a good player.

"I just need a chance and I feel I could do a job for a club in the Championship."

We'd like to hear your thoughts on the best free transfers out there. Who should we be talking to? Who are this summer's bargains? Who should your club be targeting?

Maybe you're a player that would like to be featured, or an agent looking to get a client fixed up for next season.

To offer your suggestions fill in the feedback form or email alex.dunn@bskyb.com